Monday began with the rumored $3.83 trillion (yes, not million or billion, but trillion!) proposed budget trudging from the Obama White House on to Congress for approval. That’s a dollar amount most people just can’t understand, especially those of us in between jobs. But it’s not just about the numbers.

The whole concept of increasing the difference between expenses and income (despite a spending freeze in some programs, a record $1.56 trillion of the proposed budget is money the government just doesn’t have) doesn’t compute to the millions of people for whom paying the rent is deficit spending. Spend more money? On an individual level, that’s just not an option for most of us.

But what about on the corporate level? If you have just been laid off, or the threat looms, you know that companies aren’t increasing their budgets on the platform of hope. They’re laying off people because deficit spending sprees just aren’t possible.

Given the economic landscape, it’s probably no surprise to anyone that Massachusetts, historically a haven for the Democratic party, filled Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat with a Republican, Scott Brown. We’re not endorsing any political candidate, but we can see all of America’s spending anxiety blinking above us like a giant neon sign.

For the government, it’s different—obviously. They can cut spending if they want, but they can’t lay off Americans. The idea of spending to create jobs resonates with any of us who are looking for one or worried about losing the jobs we have.

No one really wants the government to spend more, but we don’t want the government to stand back idly and watch the economic cookie continue to crumble, either.

Barack Obama campaigned on a platform of Hope and Change. His slogan: Yes We Can. So while the logistics of his economic plan may infuriate more people than it inspires, we at Applicant.com want to draw your attention to the words of America’s most famous recently unemployed worker: Conan O’Brien.

All I ask of you, especially young people, is one thing: Please don’t be cynical. I hate cynicism; it’s my least favorite quality, and it doesn’t lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.

Granted, his $40 million parting gift probably made those words a little easier to come by, but that doesn’t make his message any less prophetic.

It’s okay to be angry about decisions with which you disagree, but we would advise you hold onto that anger no longer than it makes itself productive in your actions and your motivations. Your former employer fired hundreds of people; your current employer is pondering a similar move; your freelance efforts are coming up dry; your president wants to spend almost $4 trillion—if any of it spurs you to try harder, ride that horse as far as it will take you.

But if the moral outrage turns into bitter cynicism, take a deep breath and let it go.

If you’re in between jobs, you need hope, and you need a change. You might not be able to wave your magic wand and produce an extra trillion dollars in you budget, but you can increase your effort and strengthen your resolve. Don’t give up. Show kindness to someone for no other reason than to stop cynicism from taking over your attitude. Work hard at whatever you’re doing, be it a part-time job or a fresh version of your resume or a job interview for a position you’re not sure you even want. If you want to succeed, do everything you can to be the person you want America to be.

Whether you’re an Obama supporter, a Jay Leno fan, or just a completely frustrated taxpayer, your next step is in your control. Make this a day you’ll be proud of.

Share your thoughts.

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